War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Scholastic
Publishing Year: 1982
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:
It is 1914, and Joey, a farm horse, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of World War I on the Western Front. When Joey is dragged away, his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he is forced to leave behind. In the army the beautiful red-bay horse is trained to charge the enemy, drag heavy artillery and carry wounded soldiers not much older than Albert off the battlefields. Amongst the clamoring of guns, and while plodding through the cold mud, Joey wonders if the war will ever end. And if it does, will he ever find Albert again?
Review:
The biggest problem I had going into this book was its length. Its shorter than any book I've read in years. Despite that I know its been adapted into a movie and has become popular so I decided to give it a chance and I am so glad that I did. I got more emotional over this book than most. Not to say its up there with an Ellen Hopkins novel but it did unexpectedly tug at my heartstrings. Then again I love animals so maybe I'm a tad biased.
The setting also appealed to me, there is no genre I love more than historical fiction and thanks to this novel I saw a side of WWI that I had never considered. In my history classes we discussed the artillery and evolution of weapons but the use of horses was never brought up.
It was throughly engaging and due to its shorter length there was never a dull moment. The plot was continously moving forward and before I knew it I had finished the book. It ended in a satisfying way for me, although with a twinge of sadness. This is one I'd recommend to anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to read and just needs a little fix. Perfect to read in a doctors office or on a lunch break. No hidden symbolism or deep meaning that makes you question everything. Just a good book.

Remembrance by Theresa Breslin

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Publishing year: 2004
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:
It was the largest conflict the world had ever known. It covered three continents and lasted five years. Millions of soldiers returned wounded, millions more never returned at all. In the summer of 1915, in a small village in Scotland, the Great War has already begun to irrevocably alter the course of five young lives.

Eighteen-year-old John Malcolm enlists in the army, eager to fight for his country. His sweetheart, 15-year-old Charlotte, stays behind to earn her nursing certificate, along with John Malcolm’s twin sister, Maggie, who recognizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself. Charlotte’s brother, Francis, sees only tragedy in the war, but feels the pressure to join up. And Alex, below the recruiting age, is determined to reach the front lines somehow.

Review:

Quite simply a wonderful book. I remember reading it for the first time in middle school and falling head over heels in love with it. I found both Charlotte and Maggie to be wonderful characters, and very well developed. We see Maggie's jealousy that her brother prefers spending time with Charlotte and we see Charlotte rebel against her mother. Neither character is an angel and that appeals to me.

I've always had trouble finding any YA historical fiction set during WWI, let alone anything worth reading which is why this book remains in my favorites. Finding books set during WWII is no problem, it seems like everyone is writing about Nazi Germany today, but I do wish there was more about the first war. 

What I love and hate about this book is the ending. Being set in the middle of the first world war, there is no way it can end happily. We do see character death, and while I was disappointed, I think it puts the book on a realistic level.